Roof Collapse at Nigeria Church Kills 60

Rescue workers continue to look for survivors in the debris following the collapse of a church roof in southern Nigeria, killing at least 60 people.

Hundreds of people were in the Reigners Bible Church, which was still under construction, when the roof collapsed Saturday in the city of Uyo.

Media reports say at least 60 people died in the incident, but local police say the casualties could not be confirmed “rescue operations are still ongoing.”

Several local officials were in attendance when the roof fell, including Udom Emmanuel, the governor of Akwa Ibom state, who escaped without injury.  

One survivor told local media from his hospital bed that the roof fell about 30 minutes into the program.  “Suddenly, the roof from the middle fell on worshippers.  The governor was quickly rescued.  But others were not that lucky.”

Governor Emmanuel tweeted that he personally supervised rescue operations at the scene and has declared December 11 and 12 as days of mourning.  

 

 

 

The church’s founder, who was to be made a bishop during the service, was also not injured.

A spokesman for the governor said the state would conduct an investigation into the collapse.

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